The Mercury club

A “Mercury Club” was establishedto recognize support to the negotiating process for the legally binding instrument on mercury.

Three different types of awards, namely, gold, silver and bronze, were presented according to the level of contributions received in the time period between the 25th session of the UNEP Governing Council in February 2009, where the decision to convene negotiations was taken, and the sixth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC6).

Awardees included Governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals. Contributions could be made in cash or in-kind, a typical example of the latter being the hosting of a meeting directly related to the negotiations process.

Certificates were awarded as follows:

GOLD - contributions of USD 1,000,000 and more

SILVER - contributions of USD 500,000 and more

BRONZE - contributions under USD 500,000

In addition to the certificates awarded in recognition of contributions directly to the mercury negotiations process, UNEP wishes to extend its appreciation to donors who supported the process through their contribution to the Environment Fund.

As of the sixth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 3 to 7 November 2014, certificates have been awarded as follows:

GOLD certificates to:

The European Union for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Japan for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC, including towards the hosting of INC2 in Chiba, Japan, in January 2011 and its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Asia and Pacific region in September 2011;

The Government of Norway for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Sweden for its financial contributions to support the early implementation of the Minamata Convention and the work of the INC;

The Government of Switzerland for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of the United States of America for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Uruguay for its financial contributions towards the hosting of INC4 in Punta del Este in June-July 2012;

The Nordic Council of Ministers for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC, including towards the hosting of INC1 in Stockholm in June 2010.

SILVER certificates to:

The Government of Canada for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of China for its financial contributions to support the early implementation of the Minamata Convention;

The Government of France for its financial contributions to support the early implementation of the Minamata Convention and the work of the INC;

The Government of Germany for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Sweden for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC and its hosting of a meeting of the INC Bureau in Gimo in October 2011.

BRONZE certificates to:

The African Union Commission for its contribution to ensure interpretation for African regional meetings during the fourth session of the negotiating committee;

The Government of Austria for its financial contribution to support the early implementation of the Minamata Convention;

The Government of Belgium for its financial contribution to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Brazil for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Latin America and the Caribbean region in May 2012;

The Government of Burkina Faso for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the African region in September 2011;

The Government of Canada for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Chile for its hosting of a consultation in October 2010;

The Government of China for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Asia and Pacific region in November 2009;

The Government of Colombia for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Latin America and the Caribbean region in November 2012;

The Corporación Andina de Fomento for its contribution to ensure interpretation for Latin America and the Caribbean regional meetings during INC4;

The Government of the Czech Republic for its financial contributions to support to the work of the INC and its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Central and Eastern European region in October 2011;

The Government of Denmark for its financial contribution to support the work of the INC;

The Government of Egypt for its hosting of a sub-regional consultation meeting for the Arab sub-region in April 2010;

The Government of Finland for its financial contributions to support to the work of the INC;

The Government of France for its financial contributions to support to the work of the INC and its contribution of a Junior Professional officer to UNEP as part of the secretariat for the negotiations;

The Government of Gabon for its contribution to ensure interpretation for the African regional meetings during INC2 in Chiba, Japan, in January 2011;

The Government of Germany for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC;

The Global Environment Facility for its financial contribution to the regional meetings prior to INC4 and support of a Bureau meeting in June 2012;

The Government of India for its hosting of a sub-regional awareness raising workshop in September 2014;

The Government of Jamaica for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Latin America and Caribbean region in March 2010;

The Government of Jordan for its hosting of a bureau meeting in May 2014 and a sub-regional awareness raising workshop in August 2014;

The Government of Kenya for its hospitality and contribution to ensure interpretation for the African regional meetings during INC3 in Nairobi in October-November 2011;

The Government of the Netherlands for its financial contribution to support the early implementation of the Minamata Convention;

The Government of Poland for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Central and Eastern Europe region in December 2009;

The Government of Senegal for its hosting of a sub-regional awareness raising workshop in July 2014;

The Government of Spain for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC and its contribution of a Junior Professional officer to UNEP as part of the secretariat for the negotiations;

The Government of Thailand for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the Asia and Pacific region in October/November 2012;

The Government of Tunisia for its hosting of a regional consultation meeting for the African region in November 2012;

The Government of the United Kingdom for its financial contributions to support the work of the INC.

Commemorative certificates were awarded at INC6 to the Global Environment Facility, the secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the World Health Organization in recognition of the work of these organizations throughout the negotiations process and in the preparation for the ratification and implementation of the Minamata Convention.